Palatine chapel
This courtyard church of the Normans was consecrated in 1140;The mosaics in the choir were probably completed in 1143, and those in the nave a little later.Around 1350, the mosaic was added on the western wall that depicts Christ between Peter and Paul. In spite of all the changes over the centuries, the interior has not lost its general harmony between the Latin basilica, the Byzantine dome and the decoration of the mosaic and the Arab stalactit ceiling.There is a mystical semi-darkness in this three-color basilica, pierced only by a sparkle of gold.The wooden ceiling of the central aisle is decorated in Arab style, with stalactites painted with small scenes.The pulpit stands on carved pillars, decorated with inlaid works, and the clay are carved with the symbols of the apostles Mark and John.A high pasty chandelier is decorated in reliefs of flowers and figures, the central one pointing to Christ with King Roger II, the founder of the chapel, kneeling in front of him.Those in the nave reflect the themes of the Old Testament in the central aisle and the themes of the New Testament in the lateral colors, starting with the story of the creation on the top of the southern wall of the central aisle and continuing in the sense of clockwise to the tip of the northern wall, where you will see scenes from the fall of the man to the building of the ARCA.In the side colors are scenes of Paul and Peter.While the mosaics in the nave tell a continuous story, those in the Sanctuary dome are centered on Christ.These mosaics are from the eighteenth century-the difference in style and quality between them and from the 12th century is striking.